As Canada’s military promises a crackdown on sexual misconduct, a former London medic has received a sentence described as “light” and “disappointing” for sexual crimes against 15 women.

Retired petty officer James Wilks was handed a 30-month prison sentence Monday for 10 counts of sexual assault and 15 counts of breach of trust for conducting medical exams that included fake breast exams on military recruits.

“I’m really disappointed in it. I thought he should have done a year for each victim,” one victim, Kristen Harms, said Monday.

“I thought the military was trying to make it look like they were taking things more seriously, but it doesn’t seem like they are doing that with this short sentence,” said Harms, a resident of Union Station near St. Thomas.

Her lawyer, who represents three other victims, also expressed disappointment in the sentence requested and given.

“When the Crown asks for three years and the defence asks for two, and he gets 2 1/2 . . . The length of the sentence, in my perspective, was light,” London-area lawyer Phil Millar said.

“You have (15) victims who were sexually assaulted in the sanctity of a doctor’s examination room. I think this would have been a good time to send a strong message.”

In response to recent media stories about allegations of sexual misconduct and improper investigations, Gen. Tom Lawson, Canada’s chief of defence staff, last week ordered an internal review of programs and policies.

“ . . . I do not accept from any quarter that this type of behaviour is part of our military culture,” Lawson said in a release.

But the sentence to Wilks suggests otherwise, said Harms, who added she was hoping for the maximum 10-year sentence.

“It seems like they can do what they want and get away with it, without doing much time,” said the former sonar operator.

Sixteen women testified at Wilks’ court martial, saying the Canadian Forces medic asked them to strip to their underwear and submit to breast exams between 2003 and 2009 in London and Thunder Bay. The identities of the complainants, who come from across Ontario, are protected by court order, but Harms asked the court that her name stand on the public record.

Wilks was found guilty in 15 of the cases in November. He plans to appeal.

At least four of the women have launched civil suits, with several more considering the move, Millar said.

“A guilty verdict can be satisfying but it doesn’t help pay for the damages they have suffered. I am hoping that the Department of National Defence acts strongly to compensate these women.”

With files from Daniel Daniel Proussalidis, QMI Agency.

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THE WILKS CASE

2010: charged with sexually assaulting women in London and Sarnia during medical exams in 2008 and 2009.

2011: Found guilty, at court martial, of one count of sexual assault and four counts of breach of trust. Sentenced to nine months in jail.

2012: Charged again after more women claim they were assaulted in London and Thunder Bay between 2003 and 2009.

Nov. 15, 2013: Found guilty of 10 counts of sexual assault, 15 of breach of trust

April 28, 2014: Sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Four civil suits also filed against Wilks and the Department of National Defence.